The open-air museum is 36-acre (146,000 m2),[4] located next to Amberley railway station and dedicated to the industrial heritage of South East England and with a special interest in aspects of the history of communications and transport.

[5] The museum is sited in a former chalk quarry[6] where the chalk was converted into lime for use in mortar and cement,[7] and remaining on site are several kilns, including a De Witt set, and associated buildings including offices, bagging shed and locomotive shed.

Also to be seen is the quarry tunnel, which appeared as Mainstrike Mine in the James Bond film A View to a Kill.

Crafts demonstrated on site include woodturning, broom-making, walking stick-making and the work of the blacksmith and potters.

[13][14] There are 45 locomotives, with 5 being steam powered, 29 internal combustion and 4 battery electric, and around 80 items of rolling stock, chiefly goods wagons,[15][16][17] based largely on the collection of the former Brockham Museum (relocated here in 1982).